Mr. Picklesworth
March 21st, 2008, 05:29 AM
Working temporarily in computer retail, I am growing more and more insane from how the concept of free software is essentially taboo in that environment. While the reason why a computer retailer can not survive with free software could be "explained" all people want, the essence of that, and the fact that people are essentially trying to cover up something as good and important as open source software, tells me that there is something seriously broken here and it has to be fixed one way or another. These retailers can't sweep Linux under the rug forever, especially when it is expanding so rapidly to mattering to end users.
(And when I am personally helping people with their Linux questions, which seems to have developed a quiet increase in Linux-seeking customers at the store I work in... Interestingly, even the people just looking in to Linux for the first time - usually Ubuntu - all seem quite excited about the idea, which I find very cool).
...The obvious realistic fix: The occasional promotion of Ubuntu at community events, with friends and with family. Then I realized that I should really think about doing that properly if I am so keen on it!
Then, I remembered that one of few other places keen on free knowledge is a library. Actually, that seems the perfect place through which to promote Ubuntu, since a public library has no big financial reliance on Microsoft's confounded business strategy and is all about knowledge. Their administration and audience also leans, naturally, very much to the socialist end of things.
(My only problem: $12 of accumulated late fees).
So, before I meander way off topic: I can't possibly be the only one who has pondered promoting Ubuntu, in some way, at a public library. Any experiences, examples, related stories, screams of terror or links?
(And when I am personally helping people with their Linux questions, which seems to have developed a quiet increase in Linux-seeking customers at the store I work in... Interestingly, even the people just looking in to Linux for the first time - usually Ubuntu - all seem quite excited about the idea, which I find very cool).
...The obvious realistic fix: The occasional promotion of Ubuntu at community events, with friends and with family. Then I realized that I should really think about doing that properly if I am so keen on it!
Then, I remembered that one of few other places keen on free knowledge is a library. Actually, that seems the perfect place through which to promote Ubuntu, since a public library has no big financial reliance on Microsoft's confounded business strategy and is all about knowledge. Their administration and audience also leans, naturally, very much to the socialist end of things.
(My only problem: $12 of accumulated late fees).
So, before I meander way off topic: I can't possibly be the only one who has pondered promoting Ubuntu, in some way, at a public library. Any experiences, examples, related stories, screams of terror or links?